{"id":65030,"date":"2026-01-23T17:58:54","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T12:28:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=65030"},"modified":"2026-01-23T18:10:04","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T12:40:04","slug":"facts-in-news-23-01-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/23-01-2026\/facts-in-news-23-01-2026","title":{"rendered":"Facts In News 23-01-2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity Targets<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus<\/strong><strong>: GS3\/Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recently, the Government of India has notified <strong>Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity (GEI)<\/strong> targets <strong>for additional carbon-intensive sectors<\/strong> under the <strong>Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About India\u2019s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It forms the <strong>operational backbone<\/strong> of the <strong>Indian Carbon Market (ICM)<\/strong> that was notified in <strong>2023<\/strong> under the <strong>Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It seeks to enable India\u2019s transition toward a <strong>low-carbon economy<\/strong>, aligning with its <strong>net-zero commitment by 2070<\/strong> and its <strong>Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)<\/strong> under the <strong>Paris Agreement<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key objectives <\/strong>include reducing GHG emissions, facilitating carbon pricing, promoting sustainable growth, and enhancing global competitiveness.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Framework and Structure<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Compliance Mechanism<\/strong>: Obligated industries need to meet the notified <strong>Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity (GEI)<\/strong> targets. Entities that reduce emissions beyond their targets can earn <strong>Carbon Credit Certificates (CCCs)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Offset Mechanism<\/strong>: These credits can be traded with other entities that are unable to meet their emission obligations, thereby ensuring flexibility and economic efficiency in compliance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Institutional Structure<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE):<\/strong> Central implementing agency; develops rules, methodologies, and MRV systems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC):<\/strong> Regulates the carbon credit trading platform and market transactions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>National Steering Committee (NSC):<\/strong> Policy-level oversight and coordination among ministries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) &amp; Power Exchange India Limited (PXIL):<\/strong> Facilitate electronic trading of Carbon Credit Certificates.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Coverage of Sectors<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The CCTS<strong> initially covered four sectors<\/strong> like aluminium, cement, chlor-alkali, and pulp &amp; paper.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Recently, <\/strong>in <strong>January 2026<\/strong>, the government <strong>expanded coverage <\/strong>to include <strong>petroleum refineries, petrochemicals, textiles, and secondary aluminium.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2217239&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source: PIB<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Land Acquisition related issues for the Great Nicobar mega project&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus:GS2\/Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tribal Council members in Little and Great Nicobar allege that district officials are pressuring them to surrender ancestral lands for the \u20b992,000-crore<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/editorial-analysis\/13-09-2025\/great-nicobar-maritime-ambition-ecological-prudence\"> Great Nicobar mega project.&nbsp;<\/a>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They say they were asked to sign a vague \u201csurrender certificate\u201d without details, despite the land being traditionally inhabited by the Nicobarese before the 2004 tsunami.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Land Acquisition Policy of India<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 replaced the colonial-era Land Acquisition Act of 1894 to create a fair and transparent framework for land acquisition in India.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is being Implemented from January 1, 2014 and ensures higher compensation, mandatory consent, and comprehensive rehabilitation for affected families, though farmers allege gaps in its proper implementation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Features&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It provides compensation of up to twice the market value in urban areas and four times in rural areas, and requires consent from 70% of affected families for PPP projects and 80% for private projects.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It mandates Social Impact Assessments to evaluate social, economic, and environmental impacts.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It restricts acquisition of irrigated multi-cropped land, ensures rehabilitation benefits such as housing, livelihood support, employment or annuity, and infrastructure in resettlement areas, and defines \u201cpublic purpose\u201d to prevent arbitrary acquisitions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It also stipulates that unused land be returned within five years, offers grievance redressal through the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement (LARR) Authority<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It&nbsp; ensures transparency through public consultations, and provides additional safeguards for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, while exempting certain strategic sectors like defence and railways from select provisions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Challenges in Implementation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Act faces several challenges in its implementation that make full implementation of the Act difficult.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Some of the challenges are\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Procedural requirements often delay land acquisition for development projects<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Compensation costs can put a strain on both public and private project budgets<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Balancing development needs with social justice remains a contentious issue.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source :<a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/167397\/OPS\/G7VFFLHCI.1+GU5FFPV4B.1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IE<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>\u201cSecondary particulate\u201d top cause of Delhi winter pollution : CAQM report&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus:GS3\/Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A CAQM-commissioned analysis found that Delhi\u2019s winter air pollution is mainly driven by secondary particulate matter (27%), followed by transport emissions (23%), biomass burning including waste and crop residue (20%), dust (15%), and industrial sources (9%).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Highlights of report&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is prepared after a Supreme Court directive and&nbsp; compiles existing studies rather than identifying new sources and notes inconsistencies in past methodologies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It highlights the key role of ammonia\u2014mainly from fertilisers and livestock\u2014in forming secondary particulates such as sulphates and nitrates, which make up 25\u201360% of PM2.5 and pose serious health risks.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The CAQM also announced plans for new emissions inventory and source apportionment studies for 2026 to improve forecasting and policy support.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Particulate matter (PM)&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It refers to tiny solid particles and liquid droplets in the air, some visible and others microscopic.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It mainly includes PM10 (particles 10 micrometers or smaller) and PM2.5 (fine particles 2.5 micrometers or smaller), which are about 30 times thinner than a human hair.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sources <\/strong>: PM comes either directly from sources like construction, roads, fires, and smokestacks, or forms in the atmosphere through chemical reactions involving pollutants from vehicles, industries, and power plants.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Types <\/strong>:&nbsp; <strong>Primary pollutants<\/strong> come directly from sources like road dust, construction, open burning, vehicle exhaust, and industries.<ul><li>Nitrous oxides, sulphur dioxide and volatile organic compounds, constitute primary particulate matter.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Secondary particulate matte<\/strong>r forms when released gases, called precursor pollutants, react in the air\u2014affected by humidity, temperature, and sunlight\u2014creating fine particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source :<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/caqm-report-says-secondary-particulate-top-cause-of-delhi-winter-pollution\/article70538565.ece#:~:text=A%20synthesis%20of%20studies%20on,biomass%20burning%20at%2020%25%20including\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TH<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Theyyam<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus:GS1\/Culture&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In Kannur, a centuries-old Theyyam shrine, banned photography after the family faced a negative experience during last year\u2019s Theyyam season.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Theyyam<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Theyyam, an ancient ritualistic performance art, is unique to north Kerala, where divine energy is believed to descend among the people, transcending caste hierarchies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is predominantly performed by the Malayan and Vannan communities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It honors family, village, and regional deities, including Hindu gods, goddesses, forest and warrior spirits, as well as select Muslim figures, reflecting intercultural acceptance.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Grand temple or family festivals, known as <strong>Kaliyattam<\/strong>, or larger Perumkaliyattam held once in 12 or more years, showcase the art form.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Theyyam blends dance, music, painting, sculpture, and literature, serving as both a spiritual practice and an enduring cultural heritage of North Malabar.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source :TH<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Kerala Literature Festival<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/ Culture<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The<strong> ninth edition<\/strong> of the Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) commenced at Kozhikode Beach on January 22, 2026.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About the Festival<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) is the largest literary event in India, attracting <strong>over half a million attendees<\/strong> across <strong>four<\/strong> vibrant days.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Founded in 2016<\/strong>, the festival is organised by the <strong>DC Kizhakemuri Foundation<\/strong> and co-promoted by DC Books.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>KLF is <strong>held annually<\/strong> on the beaches of<strong> Kozhikode <\/strong>(Calicut), India\u2019s first UNESCO <strong>City of Literature.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Significance:<\/strong> KLF features a diverse line-up of speakers, including<strong> Nobel laureates, Booker Prize winners, Oscar winners, celebrities,<\/strong> acclaimed authors and thought leaders.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It also hosts performances of <strong>music, dance, theatre and other performative <\/strong>and participatory arts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Significance of Kozhikode<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Kozhikode Known as the <strong>\u201cCity of Spices\u201d,<\/strong> has historically been a major centre of trade, cultural exchange, and intellectual activity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Renowned <strong>Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama<\/strong> touched down the Indian subcontinent on the shores of Calicut in <strong>1498.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/kerala\/kerala-literature-festival-gets-under-way\/article70539259.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Hirakud Wetland Emerges as a Major Migratory Bird Haven<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Environment&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Hirakud wetland in <strong>Sambalpur district of Odisha<\/strong> has recorded the arrival of <strong>4.21 lakh birds <\/strong>during the current migratory season.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Hirakud Wetland<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Location:<\/strong> The wetland is part of the Hirakud Reservoir, one of the largest man-made reservoirs in India, built across the<strong> Mahanadi River <\/strong>with a total length of almost <strong>26 kilometres.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The reservoir also produces around <strong>350 megawatts<\/strong> of hydropower and irrigates <strong>436,000 hectares of land.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Biodiversity Hotspot:<\/strong> It is a critical stopover for birds along the <strong>Central Asian Flyway,<\/strong> hosting <strong>128 species of birds<\/strong>. Species include Pintail, Shoveler, Teal, Pochard, Bar-headed Goose, and rare Eurasian species like Ruffs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ramsar Site: <\/strong>It was designated a Ramsar site of global ecological importance in 2021.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Wetland provides a mosaic of habitats such as open <strong>water, mudflats, marshes, and shallow wetlands<\/strong>, which are ideal for migratory birds.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsonair.gov.in\/hirakud-wetland-in-odisha-records-arrival-of-4-21-lakh-birds-this-season-union-minister-dharmendra-pradhan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>AIR<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>India welcomes Spain joining Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/IR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India has welcomed Spain joining the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It was launched by India in November 2019 at the ASEAN-led East Asia Summit (EAS) in Bangkok.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It draws on existing regional cooperation architecture and mechanisms to focus on <strong>seven thematic areas<\/strong>, viz. :\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Maritime Security;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maritime Ecology;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maritime Resources;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Capacity Building and Resource Sharing;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Disaster Risk Reduction and Management<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Science, Technology and Academic Cooperation; and&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Trade, Connectivity and Maritime Transport.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Objectives : <\/strong>Its objective was to promote cooperation for a free and open Indo-Pacific and the rules-based regional order, which will contribute towards strengthening safety, stability and development in the maritime domain.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsonair.gov.in\/india-welcomes-spain-joining-indo-pacific-oceans-initiative\/#:~:text=India%20has%20welcomed%20Spain%20joining,Minister%20Dr%20S%20Jaishankar%20today.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>AIR<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>India\u2019s First \u2018State Bacterium\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Science and Tech<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Kerala is set to become the <strong>first state in India<\/strong> to declare a <strong>state bacterium<\/strong> to highlight the importance of beneficial microbes\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A bacterium is a microscopic, single-celled organism that belongs to the group prokaryotes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>India\u2019s First \u2018State Bacterium\u2019<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The initiative focuses on the role of microbes in <strong>agriculture, health, and environmental sustainability<\/strong>, and seeks to move public perception beyond viewing microbes only as <strong>disease-causing agents<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The state bacterium has been selected by an <strong>expert committee <\/strong>under the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Importantly, the objective is not to conserve just one bacterium, but to represent and promote the <strong>entire spectrum of beneficial microbes<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Do You Know<\/strong><strong>?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India\u2019s national microbe is <em>Lactobacillus bulgaricus<\/em>, declared in 2012, and used in yogurt production.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/india-news\/kerala-plans-india-s-first-state-bacterium-to-boost-beneficial-microbes-126012001114_1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>BS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Study Shows India\u2019s Deltas Sinking due to Human Activity<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>An international research team has found a<strong> systemic drop in land elevation across India\u2019s river deltas<\/strong> driven mostly by human activities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The study covered <strong>40 major deltas around the world, <\/strong>including six in India, at a spatial resolution of 75m.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The team used a<strong> random forest machine learning model<\/strong> that correlated the subsidence rates with <strong>three stressors:<\/strong> groundwater storage, sediment flux, and urban expansion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Major Findings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Extent of Subsidence: <\/strong>Major Indian deltas Ganges-Brahmaputra, Brahmani, Mahanadi, Godavari, Cauvery and Kabani are actively sinking.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Over 90% area of the Ganges-Brahmaputra, Brahmani and Mahanadi deltas is affected.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Subsidence vs Sea-Level Rise: <\/strong>In Ganges, Brahmani, Mahanadi, Godavari and Kabani, land is sinking faster than regional sea-level rise, worsening flood risks.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Even under the worst climate scenarios, Godavari delta subsidence exceeds projected global sea-level rise.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>High Subsidence Rates: <\/strong>77% of Brahmani and 69% of Mahanadi delta areas are sinking at &gt;5 mm\/year, indicating severe instability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Ganges-Brahmaputra and Cauvery deltas<\/strong> are particularly affected by <strong>unsustainable groundwater extraction<\/strong> while the<strong> Brahmani delta <\/strong>bears the brunt of <strong>rapid urbanisation.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Factors Responsible: <\/strong>Unsustainable groundwater extraction, Rapid urbanisation and resource consumption.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Impacts of Subsidence<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Increased coastal and river flooding.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Permanent land loss.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Saltwater intrusion, contaminating freshwater and degrading agriculture.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Damage to ports, transport networks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rising resource conflicts and climate-induced migration.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/167259\/OPS\/G0NFFH0EQ.1+G88FFKMJG.1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Cabinet Approved \u20b95,000 Crore Equity Infusion into SIDBI<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Union Cabinet approved an equity infusion o<strong>f \u20b95,000 crore<\/strong> into the <strong>Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)<\/strong> to expand the credit available to <strong>micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The infusion will be made by the <strong>Department of Financial Services (DFS)<\/strong> in <strong>three tranches<\/strong> in the financial years of <strong>2025-26, 2026-27 and 2027-28 respectively.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>After the capital infusion,<\/strong> the number of MSMEs to be provided financial assistance is expected to <strong>increase from 76.26 lakh at the end of financial year 2025 to 102 lakh<\/strong> by the end of financial year 2027-28.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The additional capital infusion would be <strong>necessary to help SIDBI maintain a strong capital to risk-weighted assets ratio (CRAR),<\/strong> as its risk-weighted assets are expected to grow with increased lending to MSMEs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>SIDBI was established under an Act of the Parliament in <strong>1990<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>SIDBI is the <strong>Principal Financial Institution <\/strong>engaged in promotion, financing &amp; development of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector and coordination of the functions of the various institutions engaged in similar activities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/167259\/OPS\/G0NFFH0EV.1+GVLFFJ391.1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Defence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The DRDO will showcase the <strong>Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM)<\/strong> along with its launcher during the <strong>77th Republic Day Parade<\/strong> at <strong>Kartavya Path<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About LR-AshM<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Developed by <strong>DRDO<\/strong>, the <strong>LR-AShM<\/strong> is a <strong>Hypersonic Glide Missile<\/strong> designed to meet the coastal defence and strike requirements of the<strong> Indian Navy.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The missile is capable of engaging both <strong>static and moving maritime targets<\/strong> and can carry <strong>multiple payload configurations<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is a <strong>first-of-its-kind indigenous system<\/strong>, equipped with indigenous avionics and high-accuracy sensor packages.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Technical Features<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The LR-AShM employs a <strong>two-stage solid propulsion rocket motor<\/strong>.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Follows a <strong>quasi-ballistic trajectory.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Achieves speeds up to <strong>Mach 10<\/strong>, with an average hypersonic speed of <strong>Mach 5.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Uses indigenously developed sensors for terminal-phase guidance against moving targets.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Low-altitude flight<\/strong>, high speed, and manoeuvrability significantly reduce detection by <strong>enemy ground- and ship-based radars.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2217280&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>PIB<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Context<\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Recently, the Government of India has notified Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity (GEI) targets for additional carbon-intensive sectors under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS).<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> About India\u2019s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">It forms the operational backbone of the Indian Carbon Market (ICM) that was notified in 2023 under the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">It seeks to enable India\u2019s transition toward a low-carbon economy, aligning with its net-zero commitment by 2070 and its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Key objectives include reducing GHG emissions, facilitating carbon pricing, promoting sustainable growth, and enhancing global competitiveness. <\/li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/23-01-2026\/facts-in-news-23-01-2026\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-65030","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65030","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=65030"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65030\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":65039,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65030\/revisions\/65039"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=65030"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=65030"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=65030"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}